Method and system for guidance system positioner

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for incrementally positioning at least one adjustable axis of a guidance system where the guidance system may be an image based guidance system.

1. An apparatus, including:
 a first housing releasably coupled to a first moveable component of a medical guidance system, the guidance system having a target, and wherein movement of the first moveable component affects the target position; 
 a first stepable motor coupled to the first housing; 
 a first driving component coupled to the first stepable motor and capable of engaging the first moveable component, the first driving component moving the first moveable component when the first stepable motor is stepped and the first driving component engages the first moveable component; 
 a second housing releasably coupled to a second moveable component of the medical guidance system, wherein movement of the second moveable component affects the target position; 
 a second stepable motor coupled to the second housing; and 
 a second driving component coupled to the second stepable motor and capable of engaging the second moveable component, the second driving component moving the second moveable component when the second stepable motor is stepped and the second driving component engages the second moveable component. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first moveable component is a boom coupled to the target. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the medical guidance system has a moveable chassis and the second moveable component is a vertically rotatable wheel. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the medical guidance system has a moveable chassis and the first moveable component is a vertically rotatable wheel. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first moveable component has a first movement axis and the first moveable component moves about a first predetermined distance when the first stepable motor is stepped and the first driving component engages the first moveable component. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first predetermined distance is about one millimeter. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second moveable component has a second movement axis and the second moveable component moves about a second predetermined distance when the second stepable motor is stepped and the second driving component engages the second moveable component. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first predetermined distance is about one millimeter and the second predetermined distance is about one millimeter. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first moveable component and the second moveable component are configured so the first movement axis is approximately orthogonal to the second movement axis. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first moveable component is a boom coupled to a C-Arm including the target. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the medical guidance system is a fluoroscope. 
     
     
       12. A system, including:
 a medical guidance system having 
 a first moveable component, a target, and wherein movement of the first moveable component affects the target position; 
 a first housing releasably coupled to the first moveable component; 
 a first stepable motor coupled to the first housing; 
 a first driving component coupled to the first stepable motor and capable of engaging the first moveable component, the first driving component moving the first moveable component when the first stepable motor is stepped and the first driving component engages the first moveable component; 
 a second moveable component, wherein movement of the second moveable component affects the target position; 
 a second housing releasably coupled to the second moveable component; 
 a second stepable motor coupled to the second housing; and 
 a second driving component coupled to the second stepable motor and capable of engaging the second moveable component, the second driving component moving the second moveable component when the second stepable motor is stepped and the second driving component engages the second moveable component. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first moveable component is a boom coupled to the target. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the medical guidance system has a moveable chassis and the first moveable component is a vertically rotatable wheel. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first moveable component has a first movement axis and the first moveable component moves about a first predetermined distance when the first stepable motor is stepped and the first driving component engages the first moveable component. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first predetermined distance is about one millimeter. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second moveable component has a second movement axis and the second moveable component moves about a second predetermined distance when the second stepable motor is stepped and the second driving component engages the second moveable component. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first predetermined distance is about one millimeter and the second predetermined distance is about one millimeter. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first moveable component and the second moveable component are configured so the first movement axis is approximately orthogonal to the second movement axis. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the medical guidance system is a fluoroscope. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first moveable component is a boom coupled to a C-Arm including the target. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the medical guidance system is a fluoroscope.